VP Biden Calls on Congress to Pass Gay Rights Bill

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Vice President Joe Biden is calling on Congress to pass a measure to outlaw workplace discrimination against gays, saying it's outrageous that the country is even debating the subject.

Speaking to supporters of the gay advocacy group Human Rights Campaign in Los Angeles Saturday, Biden said it's "close to barbaric" that in some states, employees can be fired because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

He said it was time for Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act - known as ENDA.

He also criticized Russia's ban on so-called gay "propaganda" and its actions in Ukrainian territory.

He paraphrased the quote "a country that does not respect the rights of its citizens will not respect the rights of its neighbor," and said "we're seeing that in Ukraine."

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